CABINET OFFICE

European Working Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which his Department is responsible.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office does not have lead responsibility for any Council Working Groups.

PFI Schemes

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the expected saving to public funds from the private finance initiative schemes due to become operational in 2003.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) gave to the hon. Member on 10 April Official Report, column 400W.

Public and Advisory Bodies

Tony Wright: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the criteria are for classifying public and advisory bodies as (a) executive non-departmental public bodies, (b) advisory non-departmental public bodies, (c) task forces, (d) ad hoc advisory groups and (e) reviews; and what particular qualities or characteristics distinguish these bodies from each other.

Douglas Alexander: pursuant to his answer, 17 March 2003, Official Report, c. 499–500W
	Paragraph 6 of the answer should have read, Some of these bodies may go onto become classified as NDPBs where the need for the body's advice continues beyond its original life span e.g. Skills Task Force and the New Deal Task Force.

Regions White Paper

Joyce Quin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made by the Cabinet Office towards the aim in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", of encouraging applicants to public bodies from all parts of England; what change there has been in the geographical diversity of appointees to NDPBs and other public bodies sponsored by the Cabinet Office since the publication of the White Paper; what the outcome was of the regional seminars organised by the Cabinet Office for women interested in serving on a public body; who the attendees were; and how many attendees have begun to serve on public bodies since attending one of these seminars.

Douglas Alexander: The Government are keen to promote greater national diversity on the boards of public bodies. Departments are advertising their public appointments vacancies on a new website (www.publicappts-vacs.gov.uk) launched by my Department on 27 March 2003. The website currently has details of over 100 opportunities, arising at local and regional levels throughout the country, as well as those with a national remit. Departments also publicise vacancies in the media and on their own departmental websites.
	All public appointments are made on merit. For my own Department, between 14 May 2002 and 31 March 2003, five new appointments were made to NDPB's. Those appointed live in either London or the South-East region.
	The regional seminars for women held during 2002 to help increase awareness of public appointments were organised by the Women and Equality Unit, which is now in the Department of Trade and Industry. The seminars were aimed at encouraging more women from the regions, minority ethnic women and disabled women who are already participating in public life to apply for regional and national public appointments. There were eight regional seminars which 848 women attended. In addition, five national seminars took place, targeted at specialist female audiences. In total, 1,328 women, from diverse backgrounds, attended the 13 seminars. As a result of the seminars, 91 per cent. of those attending said that they would be more likely to apply for an appointment after attending the seminars.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Employment Relations Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a range of flexible working policies intended to help staff achieve a better work/life balance, including paid and unpaid special leave. Staff are entitled to take a maximum of 10 days paid special leave each year to deal with domestic crises, as well as an extended period of unpaid special leave if appropriate. No central records are kept of the numbers of staff taking this leave and no requests have been received under the Employment Relations Act 1999.

National Lottery

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the Review of Lottery Funding consultation paper launched last year.

Tessa Jowell: We received over 400 substantive responses from a wide range of people including local authorities, charities, voluntary groups, individual members of the public and of course Lottery distributors. An analysis of the responses can be found on the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk/lottery and we are using them to help develop specific proposals which we intend to publish this summer.

National Lottery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will set up a system to report the proportion of Lottery funds which are spent on projects that previously would have competed for central government funding.

Richard Caborn: We have no plans to set up a system on this basis. It is the Government's policy that Lottery funding should be additional to, rather than substitute for, Government spending.

National Lottery

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the good causes Lottery money was distributed via the (a) Community Fund and (b) New Opportunities Fund in 200203; and what her estimate is of these proportions in the next two years.

Richard Caborn: Of all the money entering the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF) in 200203, one sixth was allocated for distribution by the Community Fund and one third by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). I have guaranteed the share passing to the charitable good cause until 2009. Currently this is distributed solely by the Community Fund. There are no plans at present to change the share passing to the NOF, which distributes funds for health, education and environment good causes.
	Interest accruing on the balance held in the NLDF passes to the distributors in proportion to their share of the overall balance.

Parental Leave

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department have used their leave entitlement under the Parental Leave Directive since it came into force.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a range of policies intended to support staff with parental responsibilities including paid maternity and paternity leave; adoptive leave; career breaks; special leave with and without pay; and a range of flexible working options. To date no staff have requested leave under the Parental Leave Directive.

Property Portfolio

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated value is of the property portfolio held by her Department.

Kim Howells: The property operated by the DCMS is held on commercial leases of some years standing and in relation to current market rents has no realisable value. The notional value of Royal Parks property is not included.

Regions White Paper

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress her Department has made towards the goal set out in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, of (a) ensuring that regional awareness and devolution feature strongly in Civil Service training and development, (b) increasing the mobility of civil servants between headquarters offices, regional offices and the Government Offices and (c) encouraging interchange between the Civil Service and organisations in the regions.

Richard Caborn: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Civil Service College runs courses specifically for those civil servants who work with the devolved administrations. The Department's key NDPB's have regional agencies on whom we rely for the delivery of our agenda and our Departmental induction courses cover awareness of local and regional government.
	(b) Although the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no regional offices, we are already fully integrated into the Government Office network and welcome two way interchange.
	(c) We also have a strong record on interchange with 4 per cent. of staff on secondment, 5 per cent. of staff on outward loan and 25 per cent. of staff on inward loan. 15 per cent. of the staff on outward secondment are based in regional organisations.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander), on 4 April 2003, Official Report, columns 89192W.

DEFENCE

Iraq

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the findings of the inquiry into Challenger II friendly fire incident on the 25 March in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: Any incident of this nature will be subject of a Board of Inquiry. The Board relating to the suspected friendly fire incident on 25 March will be convened when the security environment in Iraq allows. It is not possible at this stage to predict when the findings of that Board will be available for publication.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has received that British servicemen involved in the invasion of Iraq were executed by Iraqi authorities after being captured as prisoners of war.

Geoff Hoon: Initial information available to us indicated that two British servicemen may have been executed by Iraqi forces. We are conducting a full investigation to try to determine all the circumstances of this incident.

Iraq

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the combat forces in Iraq contributed by coalition members other than the United Kingdom and the United States.

Geoff Hoon: The role of combat forces in Iraq is a matter for the Governments of their respective countries, but as the Prime Minister acknowledged in his joint Hillsborough statement with President Bush, we are grateful to our men and women in uniform, as well as to the brave troops of Australia and Poland, and to forces contributed by other members of the Coalition.

Iraq

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cluster bombs have been used by British forces in Iraq since the start of the war.

Geoff Hoon: As at 2 April 2003, British forces have used 60 cluster bombs in Iraq.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines have been issued to United Kingdom military personnel and medical auxiliaries in respect of protection measures to be taken when approaching Iraqi tanks destroyed by depleted uranium munitions; and what post operational health checks are planned for United Kingdom military and medical auxiliaries who may be exposed to the inhalation or ingestion of depleted uranium dust in the battlefields during the invasion of Iraq.

Adam Ingram: Safety instructions, covering all aspects of the hazard management of DU munitions in theatre, have been issued by the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) through the operational chain of command to all units and formations deployed in the joint area of operations. I will be placing copies in the Library of the House and on the MOD website.
	The safety instructions make clear that the risks from DU are far lower than those from other hazards arising from military operations and that combat and life-saving activities should never be delayed on account of concern over DU.
	UK military personnel are advised not to touch, pick up or retain souvenirs from tanks struck by DU rounds, nor climb onto or into them unless specifically required to do so. In general, personnel should stay at least 50 metres away from a struck tank and attempt to stay upwind of the tank while it is on fire. Eating, drinking and smoking should be avoided near struck tanks.
	If there is a requirement for UK military personnel to enter the vicinity of a DUstruck tank, then the advice is to cover all exposed skin. If practicable, NEC rubber or leather gloves should be worn and a dust mask or wet cloth should be used to cover the nose and mouth. Full NEC protective equipment is not necessary unless prolonged dust-raising activities are to be carried out. The task should be completed as quickly as possible, keeping dust disturbance to a minimum. As soon as possible after task completion, dust should be brushed off clothing in a controlled and marked site. Facial masks and gloves should be maintained until contaminated clothing has been removed. Outer clothing should be changed at the first convenient opportunity and laundered in the normal way before being worn again. Hands should then be washed before eating, drinking or smoking.
	The Defence Medical Services Directorate has disseminated separate medical instructions to medical staff. Medics should, if practicable, wear filter masks, plastic aprons and double-layered surgical gloves. Aprons and gloves should be changed between patients. Patients should be wrapped in a blanket for transport, contaminated clothing should be cut off and bagged and wounds that may contain DU must be cleaned at the earliest opportunity under running water and covered with a dry dressing.
	UK military personnel that may have been contaminated with DU are to have that fact annotated in their medical and personal records. Personnel will be advised of their access to biological monitoring; Personnel who have had an encounter with a struck tank will be advised to accept a urine test for uranium exposure. All other troops who served in theatre will have the opportunity to have a urine test for uranium exposure if they wish. Other tests will be conducted as considered clinically necessary. MOD's full policy for biological monitoring for DU is published on MOD's internet site at: http://www.mod.uk/issues/depleted-uranium/du-biomonitoring.htm.

Iraq

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce a free parcel scheme which will allow the family and friends of members of the armed forces currently based in the Gulf, to send parcels at no cost.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 April 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to my Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April Official Report, column 15WS and 10 April Official Report, column 3234WS.

Iraq

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral Answer of 2 April 2003, Official Report, column 912, on postage to Her Majesty's forces in Iraq, when he expects operational difficulties to have been resolved to allow packages to be sent free to the forces.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 9 April 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to my Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April 2003, Official Report, column 15WS, and 10 April 2003, Official Report, columns 3234WS.

Iraq

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the qualifying period will be for a member of the British Armed Forces to be awarded a campaign medal in recognition of their service in Iraq;
	(2)  whether soldiers that prematurely return from the Gulf on medical grounds will be awarded campaign medals in recognition of their service in Iraq;
	(3)  what plans he has made to award campaign medals to British troops fighting in the Gulf in recognition of their service in Iraq.

Lewis Moonie: A decision on whether to award a campaign medal to British Armed Forces serving as members of the Coalition Forces in Iraq will not be made until the primary objectives have been completed. Certainly a case for an award will be considered in due course and the associated eligibility criteria will take into account those individuals evacuated from the Gulf on medical grounds as a matter of course.

Iraq

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made by the British armed forces to clear unexploded bomblets from cluster bombs used in the war in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: A United Kingdom joint force explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) organisation of over 200 EOD-trained personnel is currently active in Iraq dismantling minefields, demolition charges and booby traps erected or left behind by the Iraqis. It is also stockpiling and destroying munitions, explosives and weapons discarded by members of the Iraqi armed forces. The same force will, as part of its routine operations to support freedom of military action, destroy any alliance weapons it finds that have failed to function, including unexploded cluster bomblets. Plans for humanitarian clearance of unexploded or abandoned munitions by appropriate UN or civilian contractors are still being drawn up. The Ministry of Defence will provide information on the use of munitions to assist humanitarian clearance.

Iraq

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his written statement of 8 April, on welfare support for personnel in the Gulf, when he expects that the operational situation will allow the Government to implement its plans for enabling families to send parcels free of charge to troops serving in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Family and friends will be able to send letters and packets up to 2kg in weight to named personnel at BFPO addresses in the Gulf with effect from Thursday 17 April 2003. I refer the hon. Member also to my Written Statement to the House of 10 April 2003, Official Report, columns 3234WS.

MOD Police/Silver Command

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the arrangements are between MOD police and Silver Command under the responsibility of Gloucestershire Police, with particular reference to liaison between police officers and peace protesters at RAF Fairford.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) and Gloucestershire Constabulary are operating from a joint Silver Command Operation Room located at RAF Fairford. The Operation Room is manned by senior officers from MDP and Gloucestershire Constabulary and includes representatives from the United States Security Forces and the Royal Air Force Police. Liaison with protestors at RAF Fairford by officers from the Ministry of Defence Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary is undertaken as and when required.

RAF Fairford

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  under what circumstances use of deadly force will be sanctioned at RAF Fairford;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the notices posted on the fences around RAF Fairford stating that use of deadly force is authorised.

Adam Ingram: The notices are necessary to warn individuals that unauthorised entry into the inner area of the base is not permitted. They are displayed on a temporary internal security fence enclosing a much smaller area where aircraft are parked. The notices do not purport to be a statement of the law.
	The reference to the authorisation of deadly force on the notice does not amount to a blanket pre-authorisation. It is US practice, in relation to specially sensitive areas, to draw attention to what is implicit whenever armed personnel (US or British) are deployed to guard military installations in the UK, namely that they are authorised to use lethal force in circumstances where it is lawful.
	It is not our practice to disclose details of Rules of Engagement for reasons of operational security. I am therefore withholding the information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

UK Arms Industry

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his guidelines are on sources of supply for (a) ammunition and (b) propellant in the United Kingdom arms industry.

Adam Ingram: The guidelines used to determine which sources of supply provide ammunition to the Ministry of Defence are based on smart acquisition principles, which utilise competition to obtain best value for money in meeting the military requirement, whilst ensuring security of supply. The source of propellant is judged to be a matter for the supplier. However, potential suppliers are required to provide advice on the sources of the components in each bid and security of supply is taken into account during the tender process.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

Chris Grayling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities which will receive reduced Government support for affordable housing after the abolition of the local authority social housing grant.

Tony McNulty: In my statement of 5 March, I announced increased provision for transitional arrangements for Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG). Transitional funding will now support investment in social housing of up to 550 million in 20030450 million more than the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provided in 200203 from LASHG, and higher than in any previous year. The local authority areas in which this investment will take place will not be known until after 30 June 2003, which is the deadline for new schemes for 200304 to be submitted to the Housing Corporation.
	For future years, resources will be allocated between authorities in line with recommendations of the Regional Housing Boards, reflecting regionally-agreed priorities.

Anti-social Behaviour

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers are available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour in private properties.

Tony McNulty: To supplement the full range of criminal law that the police may use, the Government have introduced a wide range of measures to help both local authorities and the police tackle anti-social behaviour, notably Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and fixed penalty notices for disorder offences.
	Additional powers are being introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill to give local authorities tools to deal with anti-social behaviour. The draft Housing Bill proposes powers to allow local authorities to license private landlords in areas of low housing demand or anti-social behaviour.

Civil Emergencies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the key generic capabilities being developed for dealing with civil emergencies; what progress is being made with developing each of the key generic capabilities for civil emergency preparation; when he expects officials to report; when decisions will have been made on their practical implementation; which of the key areas do not have guidance suitable for dealing with a contemporary threat; and what the Government response will be in an emergency while the current programme of work on each of the 11 areas continues.

David Blunkett: I have been asked to reply.
	I am replying as the Minister responsible for work across Government to co-ordinate our counter-terrorist and resilience work.
	I set out in my statement of 3 March 2003, Official Report, column 72WS, the 11 key generic capabilities that allow the United Kingdom to recover quickly from the most demanding emergencies. These are:
	central response
	essential services
	local response
	decontamination
	site clearance
	treatment of infectious diseases
	treatment of mass casualties
	mass evacuation
	identification and assessment
	warning, informing and alerting
	dealing with mass fatalities
	We already have the capacity to respond to emergency situations. What we are looking to do is to further enhance our capability in the areas set out. We will constantly strive to improve our ability to respond to emergencies in this most effective and efficient way possible. The capability programme we have set in place is one aspect of that work.
	The Committee on Consequence Management and Resilience which I chair receives regular reports on progress in these areas, which includes implementation of recommendations. We are not going to wait until the capability programme is complete before implementing recommendations. If the programme highlights ways in which we can enhance our resilience in some areas by acting sooner we will take those decisions as soon as is practicable.
	Yesterday I announced an additional 331 million of resources to fund a range of projects to enhance.

Councillors

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will undertake a review of the application of the law as it applies to qualified privilege for councillors; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: There are currently no plans for such a review. I understand that the Law Commission will shortly be publishing their recommendations following a review of the publication of local authority reports, and that those recommendations are likely to include proposals on the law of defamation as it applies to local authorities. The Government will consider the Law Commission's report carefully.

Countryside Agency Report

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the findings of the Countryside Agency Report, The State of the Countryside 2020, on Cambridgeshire with regard to (a) long-term transport infrastructure, (b) planning to meet future demand for public services and (c) affordable housing for key public sector workers.

Tony McNulty: The State of the Countryside 2020 report is the Countryside Agency's contribution to the 'Tomorrow Project', which was launched in 1996 to encourage people and organisations to think about the future. 22 companies, charitable organisations, Government Departments and agencies currently support it. This report does not have specific implications for local or national policy, but will help inform the wide range of Government policies which bear on the future of the countryside and rural society. It does not bring to light entirely new issues, and the Government are already active on a wide front to tackle the problems which are discussed.

Departmental Catering Services

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of (a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002.

Christopher Leslie: The catering services within the buildings of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are contracted on a non-cost basis, with the contractor recovering their costs through income from the services. The only cost to the Office in 2002 was to cover basic kitchen equipment to the value of 20,000.

Departmental Website

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost of his Department's website was in the last 12 months; and how many hits it received in the same period.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The estimated total cost of the office website (www.odpm.gov.uk) from 1 June 2002 to 31 March 2003 is 752,000. This includes staff costs, development and HTML conversion costs. It also includes the capital costs of developing a new website, which aims to provide the Office with an improved website in terms of design, navigation and information retrieval. The new website, which is under development, accounts for 70 per cent. of total costs.
	During the period 1 July (when statistics were first available for the ODPM website) to 19 March 2003 the total number of page impressions (used as a measure of 'hits') was 15,547,195.

Derelict Property

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers are available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to require landlords to improve derelict (i) commercial and (ii) other property.

Tony McNulty: Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 provides local planning authorities with a discretionary power to serve a notice requiring landowners and occupiers of the land to remedy the condition of land adversely affecting the amenity of the neighbourhood. It is for the local planning authority to decide whether the amenity of their area is being adversely affected by the condition of the land. Local authorities also have powers to undertake clean up works themselves under section 215 and to recover costs from the landowner. The power is enforceable through the magistrates courts.
	Local authorities have powers under the Housing Act 1985 to require improvement of dwellings that are unfit for human habitation. They may serve a notice requiring repairs to be carried out within a specified period or may carry out repairs to the property and, if necessary, recover the costs from the owner.
	Police powers are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett).

Enforcement and Inspection Powers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to reduce fragmentation of enforcement and inspection powers relating to residential properties, offices, commercial premises and transport locations.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no current plans to introduce such legislation.
	The Local Services Inspectorate Forum has already secured a significant increase in co-ordinated activity within local government. Three-year inspection programmes for councils subject to a Comprehensive Performance Assessment will deliver risk-based inspection. This approach allows inspections to be shaped around need.

Entertainment Costs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost has been to his Department in (a) each of the last five financial years and (b) this year to date of the entertainment of foreign dignitaries and delegations.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 84W.
	The information given includes the cost of the entertainment of foreign dignitaries and delegations incurred by Ministers and the Permanent Secretary and their Private Offices.

Entertainment Costs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent on hospitality and entertainment by (a) his Department, (b) his Department's agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, in each year since 1997.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 24 March 2003, Official Report, column 84W.
	Additional information for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, including its agencies, and its non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fire Service College

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions the hon. Member for Shipley had when he visited the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh on 7 April 2003; what the implications were of these discussions for the future of the college; and what the timescale is for the private management contract.

Christopher Leslie: I did not visit the Fire Service College on 7 April 2003. The Task Group established to consider the future of the College had its final meeting on that date in London. I expect to receive the Task Group's report shortly.

Groundwork

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much of the funding given to Groundwork to work with local authorities and communities to deliver environmental regeneration has been allocated; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Sustainable communities: building for the future announced 40 million of funding to support the work of Groundwork over the next three years. This funding has been allocated to each year as follows: 13 million in 200304, 13 million in 200405; and 14 million in 200506.

Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the level of housing need in (a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member on 7 January 2003, Official Report, column 115W. No further information has yet been collected.

Housing

Lynne Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he intends to publish the results of the consultation on housing capital.

Tony McNulty: In August 2002 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued the consultation document 'The Way Forward for Housing Capital Finance', consulting on a range of issues concerning the future of housing capital finance. Almost 300 responses were received. The decisions reached on the issues consulted on are reflected in Sustainable Communities: building for the future and the Local Government Bill currently before Parliament. A letter went to all Chief Finance Officers in local housing authorities in England on 1 April setting out in detail the proposed arrangements for the proposals consulted on. This letter is available at www.odpm.gov.uk, and in the Library of the House.

Liveability

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) guidance, (b) memoranda, (c) reports and (d) consultations his Department has (i) published and (ii) prepared on liveability.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published the following reports:
	Living PlacesCleaner, Safer, Greener, which sets out the conclusions of the Cross-Cutting Review on Improving Public Space and the Government's response to the recommendations of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce (October 2002). The Literature Review of Public Space and Local Environments for the Cross Cutting Review Final Report is also available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at www.odpm.gov.uk.
	Sustainable CommunitiesBuilding for the Future, which announced 201 million over the next three years to help deliver on liveability and local environment issues (February 2003).
	Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (July 2002) and Assessing Needs and Opportunities: A Companion Guide to PPG17 (September 2002).

Liveability

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with representatives of the voluntary sector with regard to the liveability agenda.

Tony McNulty: Representatives from the voluntary sector were involved in developing the liveability agenda through their membership of the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce and through their involvement in the Cross-Cutting Review on Improving Public Space.

Liveability

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to involve local Agenda 21 groups with liveability policies.

Tony McNulty: In taking forward the liveability agenda the Government's aim is to engage with all local groups with an interest in improving the quality of their local environment.

Liveability

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what definition of the term liveability his Department uses.

Tony McNulty: Liveability is about building stronger local communities and enhancing quality of life through action to improve the quality of local environments and the places where people live.

Liveability

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made by the Community Enablers Scheme for direct community action to improve local liveability.

Tony McNulty: Sustainable communities: building for the future announced 30 million for the Community Enablers' Scheme over three years. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently finalising the business plan for delivering the scheme with Groundwork, who will be responsible for its management. The Scheme will be open for applications from community groups in May this year.

Local Government Ombudsmen

Diana Organ: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether additional local government ombudsmen have been appointed to deal with their new remit of covering internal drainage boards.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced on 12 March, we believe that there would be advantage in bringing internal drainage boards under the jurisdiction of the local government ombudsman. We will be discussing this with the ombudsman's office and making further announcements about this in due course.

Ministerial Visits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Ministers in his Department visited Essex in 2002; and what subjects were discussed.

Christopher Leslie: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002. Since then my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich visited Thames Chase in Upminister for the opening of the Harold Wood Community Woodland on 18 September 2002. My hon. Friend, the Lord Rooker visited Colchester to view housing projects, on 10 September 2002, and visited Basildon and Southend on 23 September 2002 as part of a Thames Gateway regions visit.

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill

Mark Prisk: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many clauses were (a) debated fully, (b) partially debated and (c) not debated during the Committee Stage of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 5 February 2003, Official Report, column 348W.

Projects Support (Wycombe)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) projects and (b) organisations have been supported in the Wycombe constituency by (c) the New Deal for Communities, (d) Strategic Partnerships and (e) Neighbourhood Renewal.

Barbara Roche: Wycombe is not one of the four Neighbourhood Renewal areas in the south-east. It therefore receives neither the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund nor New Deal for Communities funding. Wycombe Local Strategic Partnership is a non-funded LSP that incorporates a wide spectrum of statutory, non-statutory and voluntary bodies.

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the (a) annual running costs and (b) net annual cost to the Exchequer of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in each year from 199091 to 200506 (planned); and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the current market valuation of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre; what plans he has to privatise this facility; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the value for money of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The annual running costs and annual net financial results for The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre from 199091 to 200102 were published in its annual report and accounts, copies of which were placed in the Libraries of the House. The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre operates in a competitive market place and for reasons of commercial sensitivity its corporate and financial plans are not made publicly available.
	The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre was independently valued at 20 million as at 1 April 1999. This was confirmed by a further valuation as at 1 April 2002. Following a review the Government announced on 15 October 2001 that The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre would retain its public sector role and status. The review did not recommend contracting out or privatisation, which it considered could be difficult to implement, and would be poor value for money. It also concluded that any market interest in the site would be likely to relate to development for uses other than a conference centre. The Centre was seen as an important London facility, attracting considerable business tourism. A summary of the review findings was placed in the Libraries of the House.

Urban Summit

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the inter-departmental ministerial team set up to deliver cross-Government working on liveability after the Urban summit.

Barbara Roche: The Inter-departmental Ministerial Group, which I chair, will provide a forum for Ministers with portfolios that impact upon 'liveability' issues to discuss and co-ordinate action to progress the programme of work set out in Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Numeracy and Literacy

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults there were with less than acceptable levels of numeracy and literacy in each local education authority in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and what proportion of the adult population this represented in each case.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 9 April
	We do not have data on the number of adults with less than acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy in each local education authority for either 2001 or 2002. The Department has commissioned a new representative sample survey of working age adults in England to provide an up-to-date assessment of the scale of literacy and numeracy need. These estimates will be mapped to the new national basic skills standards and will be published in summer 2003. It is hoped that the data will be robust enough for regional estimates of adult literacy and numeracy to be produced.

Investors in People

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which companies located in the Buckingham constituency received Investors in People awards in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not collected on a constituency basis.
	Organisations which received recognition as Investors in People in the town of Buckingham are as follows:
	
		
			 Year Organisation 
		
		
			 200102 Maids Moreton CE School 
			 200203 Swan Pool and Leisure Centre

National Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost will be to public funds in 200304 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department.

Charles Clarke: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the 2002 Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. in 200304.

Skills (Prisons)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he is taking to encourage the acquisition of skills by (a) prison officers and (b) prisoners.

Ivan Lewis: We are providing substantial additional investment to improve the quality and quantity of prison education. Funding of 77 million in 0203 increases to 97 million in 0304, 122 million in 0405 and 137 million in 0506, including in each year 12 million for vocational training which is transferring from the Home Office to the Department for Education and Skills. This additional investment will support prisons in exceeding the record numbers of around 37,000 basic skills qualifications and 80,000 work skills qualifications achieved in 0203. It will support increases in core provision and also target funding to support developments in infrastructure and quality improvement.
	The Prison Service is part of the Governments 'Skills for Life' strategy which includes national projects for developing basic skills for staff and prisoners who are able to use new national curriculum tests that look to improve their basic skills.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bass Stocks

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has held with representatives of angling groups and charter skippers since January 2001 to consider further conservation measures to protect bass stocks in UK waters; what the latest estimate is of bass stocks in UK waters; and what further discussions her Department has had with the European Commission to consider conservation measures at Community level.

Elliot Morley: Since January 2001, officials have met representatives of sea angling associations and charter boat owners on an annual basis to consider a number of issues of interest to them, including the conservation of bass stocks. In addition to formal annual meetings, anglers are always consulted on fisheries management when their interests are likely to be affected.
	The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas' Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management reported last year to the European Commission on the status of sea bass in European waters. The report concluded that the fishing mortality was sustainable but that, given uncertainties in the assessment and the possible influences of an unfavourable change in environmental conditions on recruitment, fishing effort should not be allowed to increase. The Commission has yet to come forward with any proposals in response to this report which might aid the sustainability of bass stocks.

Cliffe Airport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of an airport at Cliffe for sites designated under (a) the EU Birds Directive and (b) the EU Habitats Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 April 2003
	No assessment of this type has been made. If the option of an airport at Cliffe were supported in the Government's proposed Air Transport White Paper and a planning application were brought forward, there would be a need for a full assessment as required under article 6 of the Habitats Directive. This is because of the proximity of the site to the Thames Estuary and Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar sites.

Dolphins

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on implementing the EU Habitats Directive to protect dolphins in the English Channel; and if he will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The EC Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC is implemented in territorial waters around the English coast by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, c.) Regulations SI 1994/2716. Under Article 12 of this Directive member states are obliged to prohibit all forms of deliberate capture or killing and deliberate disturbance of dolphins and all other cetaceans. This provision is implemented by regulation 39 of SI 1994/2716. My Department will shortly issue a consultation document extending this protection to those offshore waters over which the United Kingdom exercises sovereignty. My Department carries out monitoring of the bycatch of cetaceans by UK vessels in English Channel in line with the obligations of Article 12(1)(d) of the Habitats Directive.

Dolphins

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dolphin carcases have been washed up from the English Channel since the beginning of January 2003; how many carcases were recorded in the same time period in 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: From 1 January to 31 March 2003, a total of 249 dolphins have been reported as stranded on the south coast (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West and East Sussex). These comprised 129 common dolphins and 120 unidentified dolphins. No dolphins have been reported as stranded from 1 to 9 April 2003.
	During the period from 1 January to 31 March 2002, in the same area 110 dolphin strandings were reported: 66 common dolphins and 44 unidentified dolphins.
	It should be noted that these figures include stranded dead cetaceans, live strandings, carcasses seen floating at sea, reported cetacean by-catch and cases of unconfirmed or suspected cetacean by-catch. The data were obtained under the Defra-funded Cetacean and Turtle Strandings Scheme, carried out by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Institute of Zoology and Scottish Agricultural College.

Drainage Boards

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the local government Ombudsmen will extend their remit to cover internal drainage boards; and when cases concerning internal drainage boards may be submitted to local government Ombudsmen for consideration.

Elliot Morley: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 12 March, we believe that there would be advantage in bringing internal drainage boards under the jurisdiction of the local government ombudsman. We will be discussing this with the ombudsman's office and making further announcements about this in due course.

Landfill Tax Credit Scheme

Mr. O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans (a) have been made and (b) are in progress to determine the future funding mechanism for local schemes promoting sustainable waste issues following the end of the landfill tax credit scheme;
	(2)  when she intends to announce the format of the successor scheme for landfill tax credit scheme categories (a) C and (b) CC;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the design of the scheme that will replace categories C and CC of the landfill tax credit scheme.

Michael Meacher: In the pre-Budget Report the Chancellor announced changes to the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme which would leave approximately one third (47 million) to be made available for spending on local community environmental projects, via a scheme similar to the existing one. The remaining two thirds will be converted into a public expenditure programme for sustainable waste management. The public expenditure programme will enable us to take forward the package of strategic measures recommended by the Strategy Unit in their report, 'Waste Not, Want Not'. The design of this scheme, including replacement of catergories C, CC of the LTCS, will be announced alongside the Government's official response to the Strategy Unit's report, which is planned for around the time of the budget.

Over-30-months Scheme

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of (a) the risk to human health and (b) costs of (i) direct incineration and (ii) rendering followed by incineration of carcases under the over-30-months scheme.

Alun Michael: To assess the risk of over-30-months (slaughter) scheme (OTMS) operations the Environment Agency commissioned a number of studies from independent expert consultants to establish the risk from BSE to human health via different environmental pathways, based on the precautionary principle. These reports covered both the incineration of carcass material and the incineration of rendered products. They were produced in consultation with the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) and published in 1997. They showed that the risks are negligible compared to other risks in daily life and endorsed SEAC's advice to Government in 1996 that the current and proposed methods of dealing with animal waste material from the slaughter of cattle are safe.
	The cost of rendering and subsequent incineration of rendered products is less expensive than that of the direct incineration of cattle carcasses. However there are some benefits to the direct incineration of carcases in terms of quicker re-imbursement of compensation sums to the Exchequer from the EU. Both methods of disposal are used under OTMS and each represent good value for money.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy the Government has in respect of the increased production of poppies, which can be processed into drugs, in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The UK is co-ordinating international anti-narcotics assistance to Afghanistan. With the endorsement of the Afghan Government and in consultation with other international stakeholders (especially the UN), the UK has developed a long-term strategy. This identifies four key areas where assistance should be targeted: improving Afghan law enforcement capability; rural reconstruction to generate alternative livelihoods for opium poppy farmers; capacity-building for Afghan drug control institutions; and establishing prevention/treatment programmes to tackle addiction.

Departmental Advertising (Expenditure)

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's total spending was on advertising and promotional campaigns between April 2002 and March 2003; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to (a) television, (b) radio and (c) print media.

Bill Rammell: Most expenditure by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on publicity materials is not allocated to specific promotional campaigns. Rather it is deployed in support of the FCO's efforts to promote greater understanding and awareness of the UK to overseas audiences, to project the UK's strengths and increase trade, inward investment, tourism, and the influence of UK foreign policy. An exception is the FCO's consular publicity campaigns, which are aimed at encouraging UK travellers to be better prepared before going overseas. These accounted for 908,294 in the period April 2002-March 2003, of which 32,459 was spent on advertising.
	Other separately identifiable expenditure on publicity materials and advertising between April 2002 and March 2003 totalled 8,670,615. Of this, 570,211 comprised advertising for recruitment purposes.
	There was additional expenditure in the UK and overseas that, under FCO accounting procedures, cannot be separately identified as advertising or promotional campaigns; to attempt to disaggregate this would incur disproportionate cost.
	This expenditure is not compiled according to their relation to television, radio or print media. Moreover, it includes expenditure on events, research and production of promotional materials with no particular relation to any of these media. Therefore such a breakdown could not be compiled without incurring disproportionate cost.
	All figures are subject to final auditing to take account of any end year adjustments. The figures provided represent the expenditure of the FCO and not of Wilton Park, our only agency, or our 10 NDPBs; these details are not held centrally and could not therefore be compiled without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The Government are committed to using only cost effective channels to deliver the publicity necessary to support policy implementation. Paid advertising is only resorted to after careful consideration of the cost-benefits.

DynCorp Aerospace Ltd.

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the storage of landmines in the Gulf region by DynCorp Aerospace Ltd.;
	(2)  whether an investigation has been launched into the activities of DynCorp Aerospace Ltd., in respect of the storage of landmines in the Gulf region; whether information relating to possible breaches of the Landmines Act 1998 by DynCorp Aerospace Ltd. has been passed by his Department to the police; and whether employees of DynCorp Aerospace Ltd. have been prosecuted for breaches of the Landmines Act 1998.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not aware that any investigation has been launched into the activities of DynCorp Aerospace Ltd. or that any of its employees have been prosecuted for breaches of the 1998 Landmines Act. The Department has not come into the possession of any relevant evidence, though naturally, if it were to do so, it would pass this to the police for investigation.

Moldova

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts the Goverment are making to combat the trafficking in women from Moldova to the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 10 April 2003
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Home Office (Beverley Hughes) gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew MacKinley) on 5 March 2003, Official Report, column 1086W.
	Trafficking of women is one of the key areas which Reflex, the multi-agency response to organised immigration crime, seeks to address. Reflex targets organised criminal groups, who have in the past been involved with the trafficking of Moldovan women. However, trafficking is a key problem for Moldova that cannot be solved by one Government working alone. The London conference on Organised Crime in South Eastern Europe, which my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary co-hosted on 25 November 2002, and which Moldova attended, identified illegal immigration and human trafficking as key priorities for the international community to tackle. The UK is actively working with international partners, particularly the EU, but also the OSCE and loM for example, to ensure commitments made at the conference are fully implemented. The UK's own programmes, such as Reflex, will continue to form an integral element of these international efforts.

North Korea

Mr. Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on North Korea.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had regular discussions with EU partners about North Korea's nuclear programmes, including at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, since the issue arose in October last year. The EU has clearly stated its willingness to contribute to a durable and lasting settlement for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Turks and Caicos

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received from the government of the Turks and Caicos regarding the presence of Tontons Macoutes among Haitian refugees to the Turks and Caicos.

Mike O'Brien: The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government authorities have no evidence of any presence of Tontons Macoutes among the immigrant community from Haiti.

War Crimes Tribunal

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to establish judicial tribunals to consider whether war crimes have been committed by (a) regular and (b) irregular fighters in Iraq.

Mike O'Brien: We will investigate any allegation of war crimes against UK forces in the present conflict. If we find evidence to justify prosecution, we will seek to bring those responsible to justice. As regards allegations of war crimes committed by members of the Saddam regime prior to this conflict, the Government is assessing, in conjunction with coalition partners, how these can best be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

HEALTH

Cannabis

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the percentage of boys aged 14 and 15 years using cannabis in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Since 1982, the Department of Health has commissioned a series of national surveys of secondary school children in England. The information available is shown in the tables.
	
		Percentage of pupils who have used cannabis in the last year: England -- Boys
		
			  All aged 1115 Age 14 Age 15 
		
		
			 1998 11 15 28 
			 1999 11 15 29 
			 2000 13 18 30 
			 2001(1) 14 19 32 
			 2002(1),(2) 14 (3)n/a (3)n/a 
		
	
	
		Girls
		
			  All aged 1115 Age 14 Age 15 
		
		
			 1998 9 13 24 
			 1999 10 14 25 
			 2000 11 16 25 
			 2001(1) 12 19 30 
			 2002(1),(2) 12 (3)n/a (3)n/a 
		
	
	
		Boys and Girls
		
			  All aged 1115 Age 14 Age 15 
		
		
			 1998 10 14 26 
			 1999 11 15 28 
			 2000 12 17 28 
			 2001(1) 13 19 31 
			 2002(1),(2) 13 20 31 
		
	
	(1) Estimates from 2001 onwards are not comparable with estimates from previous years because of the change in the way that drug use were measured.
	(2) 2002 estimates are preliminary results. Final estimates for 2002 are planned to be published in summer 2003.
	(3) The percentage of pupils who have used cannabis in 2002 are not yet available by age group for boys and girls separately.
	Sources:
	1. Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2000(Department of Health) published by The Stationery Office
	ISBN 0 11 322562 8 http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/englandsmoking.pdf.
	2. Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2001 (Department of Health) published by The Stationery Office
	ISBN 0 11 322591 1 http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sddsurvey01.pdf
	3. The Department of Health Statistical Press Notice Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2002: Provisional Results http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/spnmar03-smoking.pdf

Accident and Emergency Services

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients waited over four hours in accident and emergency departments in acute care hospitals in Suffolk in each of the last four years.

David Lammy: Information on the total time patients spend in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge has been collected for publication by the Department of Health since July 2002. This information is now published quarterly. Figures for West Suffolk and Ipswich Hospitals are shown in the tables.
	
		Total time spent in major AE departments, NHS Trusts in England, 200203 October to December (Q3)
		
			 Year Quarter STHA OrgID Name Total attendances atmajor AE Percentage of patientswho spent less thanfour hours in AE 
		
		
			 200203 3   England 2,882,500 78 
			
			 200203 3 Q01 RGQ Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 13,357 80 
			 200203 3 Q01 RGR West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 8,945 81 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health dataset QMAE
	Status:
	Published 12 March 2003
	
		Total time spent in major AE departments, NHS Trusts in England, 200203 July to September (Q2)
		
			 Year Quarter Dataset STHA OrgID Name Total attendances at major AE Percentage of patients who spent less than four hours in AE 
		
		
			 200203 2 QMAE   England 3,095,650 77 
			 
			 200203 2 QMAE Q01 RGQ Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 14,083 81 
			 200203 2 QMAE Q01 RGR West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 10,246 83 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health dataset QMAE
	Status:
	New dataset

Administration Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the total gross administration costs of his Department in each year from 200203 to 200506 (planned); and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Estimated costs for the Department for 200203 are 351 million. Estimated costs for the years to 200506 will be included in the Departmental Report, to be published shortly, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

Blood Donors

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people gave blood in Buckinghamshire in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203.

Hazel Blears: Figures showing the number of blood donors in Buckinghamshire, received from the National Blood Service, for 200102 and 200203 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of donors(4) Donations collected 
		
		
			 200102 25,970 31,361 
			 200203 25,963 30,258 
		
	
	(4) Donor numbers taken at the mid-year point.

Cancer Services

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government intend to extend the breast screening programme to women over the age of 70.

Hazel Blears: There is little research evidence to show whether or not population screening in the over 70s is effective in reducing mortality. What little evidence there is suggests that screening in this way may not be effective and could even do more harm than good to some women. However, for some individual women there will always be a clear benefit in screening. Women aged over 70 will be offered free three yearly screening on request when the extension to women aged 65 to 70 is fully implemented, as are women aged 65 and over now. Women who have already participated in the programme will be informed of this right after the age of 70.
	The availability of screening for older women is widely publicised. In particular, the national health service breast screening programme has worked with Age Concern to encourage older women to request screening.

Correspondence

Marion Roe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of (a) 14 November 2002, (b) 11 December 2002, (c) 7 January, (d) 6 February and (e) 5 March relating to her constituent Mrs. Heather Peto of Hoddesdon.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 10 March 2003
	A reply was sent to the hon. Member on Tuesday 8 April.

Dementia

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve services for people with dementia in the South West.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 8 April 2003
	The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the needs of people with dementia and their carers are met. For that reason, the national service framework (NSF) for older people has set a standard and within this a service model that includes access to specialist care to ensure effective diagnosis, treatment and support. Local programmes are being developed as part of the NSF to improve services for older people with mental health problems, including dementia.
	In the south west peninsula, local specialist mental health, primary care and social services provide a range of services for people with dementia and their carers. This includes in-patient units for assessment and treatment, respite provision, community mental health teams, day services and support in the home and for carers. In Dorset and Somerset, there is capital investment to support mental health services, and partnerships have been developed with local community mental health groups. In Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, a planning and priorities framework target on mental health and older people has been included in local delivery plans.

Departmental Annual Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the 2002 annual report of the Department will be published.

David Lammy: The spring 2003 Departmental reports are due to be published between 28 April and 16 May 2003. We plan to publish our Departmental Report during this period.

Endometriosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve training on the recognition and treatment of endometriosis; and where centres of excellence in endometriosis will be located.

Hazel Blears: We are determined to improve the awareness of endometriosis and training of general practitioners, as the first point of contact for women with this condition. Departmental officials are working with the National Endometriosis Society (NES) and the Simply Holistic Endometriosis (SHE) Trust to see if a robust application can be drawn up for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop clinical guidelines on endometriosis for general practitioners. This is still at an early stage and there are many calls on the services of NICE as we take forward national health service reforms on a broad front.
	NICE is currently undertaking a referral practice project on advice to general practitioners about referring common conditions, the results of which may give us an effective way of offering referral guidance on endometriosis.
	Specialist clinics that treat advanced cases of endometriosis have been developed locally in response to need rather than being organised nationally. Departmental officials have discussed issues around centres of excellence with the NES and other organisations and will continue working with them to see whether further work is appropriate.

Erectile Dysfunction

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in each of the last five years on awareness campaigns material relating to erectile dysfunction; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Department has not produced any awareness campaigns material relating to erectile dysfunction over the last five years.
	However the Department's booklet Life Begins at 40Health Tips for Men published in 1998, contains information on impotence and its causes. The booklet is available form national health service organisations or direct from the health literature linetelephone: 0800 555 777.

Haemophilia

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the underspend was on last year's budget for recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients in West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust.

Hazel Blears: I have been advised by West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust that during the 200203 financial year, as part of a consortium commissioning arrangement, West Gloucestershire has incurred costs of 598,000, of which 512,000 relates to recombinant products, against estimated expenditure of 696,000 (based on costs in 200102).
	Expenditure can vary significantly between financial years based on the number of patients receiving treatment, the number of units of blood products provided, and the costs of the products themselves.

Haemophilia

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what factors are preventing targets for the required amount of recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients being met;
	(2)  what the budget is for 200304 to provide recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients.

Hazel Blears: Haemophilia patients up to the age of 2122 are already receiving recombinant clotting factors. Extra funding will begin the process of extending these products to the remaining haemophilia patients aged over 2122. The extra funding has been allocated over three years. In 200304, there is 13 million available.
	We are working with key stakeholders including the Haemophilia Society, clinicians, primary care trusts and others to put in place a strategy to roll out access to these products. We aim to begin the roll out as soon as possible.

Health and Social Care Act

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for ensuring that consultations by primary care trusts are in accordance with section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Strategic health authorities ensure that primary care trusts have arrangements in place for involving and consulting patients and the public. Overview and scrutiny committees of local authorities, under section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, will require national health service organisations to consult them on any proposal for a substantial development or variation of health services (these regulations will eventually take the place of Community Health Council Regulations).
	This is contained in the policy guidance, Strengthening Accountability: Involving Patients and the Public, published in February 2003. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.

Hospital-acquired Infection

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients from the Buckingham constituency contracted hospital-acquired infections in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001.

Hazel Blears: In the period April 2001 to March 2002, there were 48 cases of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias in the Buckinghamshire area. These figures were published in the Communicable Disease Report (CDR) Weekly on 20 June 2002.
	More detailed information is available on the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) website, which can be accessed at: www.phls.co.uk

Illegal Meat Imports

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role his Department has played in assessing bacteriological samples of illegally imported meat products for the purposes of protecting public health.

Hazel Blears: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that, whilst it does not have a role in assessing bacteriological samples of illegally imported meat, it has advised local authorities, who are responsible for enforcement of imported food and food safety legislation, that all illegally imported food products, including meat, should be removed from the human food chain. Such food is destroyed and there is no requirement for laboratory examination to identify micro-organisms or toxins.
	The United Kingdom organisations involved in the collection of foodborne disease data are not aware of any links between illegally imported meat products and outbreaks of foodborne disease in humans.

Infectious Diseases

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the new national strategic action plan to bring (a) TB and (b) other key infectious diseases under control.

Hazel Blears: The tuberculosis action plan is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. The other key infectious diseases action plans will be published within the next few months.

Local Exercise Activity Pilots

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what decision-making processes were adopted on determining the outcomes of the local exercise activity pilots;
	(2)  what criteria were used to determine the winning local exercise activity pilot in Yorkshire.

Hazel Blears: The overall aims and objectives of the local exercise action pilots (LEAP) programme were included in the original invitations for 'expressions of interest', sent by regional directors of public health to primary care trusts (PCTs) within neighbourhood renewal fund areas. The criteria regarding target groups, location, partnership working and innovative practice were highlighted throughout the application process and in the assessment guidance to regions. The criteria were applied to the decision-making process, both at the 'expression of interest' stage and, again, once the bids were fully worked up. PCTs completed a structured application form, which asked for further details under the headings of the criteria and some additional contextual information such as the local evidence base and their monitoring and evaluation framework.
	Following initial expressions of interest, 31 short-listed PCTs submitted full applications, which were assessed by regional panels, led by public health colleagues and representatives from the funding partners, Sport England and the Countryside Agency.
	Central to the assessment process was the involvement and commitment of the regions. The regional panels were best placed to assess the individual applications. Their recommendations were then reviewed by the national management group. This consisted of the Department of Health, Sport England, the Countryside Agency and the Local Government Association. The role of the management group was to ensure the nine pilots selected provided a national cross section, in terms of target audiences, locations, range of partners and innovative interventions.
	The management group was in agreement with the recommendations made by the regional panels.

Local Exercise Activity Pilots

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many local exercise activity pilot bids secured private sector partners; and how many secured private sector contributions of over 50,000;
	(2)  if he will list the successful local exercise activity pilots, indicating in each case (a) the health deprivation indexes of the relevant populations, (b) the partner organisations engaged, (c) the non-health funding levered in, (d) the number of general practitioner referral schemes created, (e) the non-health objectives to be achieved and (f) the health benefits to be achieved.

Hazel Blears: A list of the successful local exercise activity pilots (LEAP) with the health benefits to be achieved, the number of general practitioner referral schemes created and the main partner organisations engaged, has been placed in the Library.
	All of the pilots are located within neighbourhood renewal areas. As such they are among the 50 most deprived on at least one of the six district level measures in the Indices of Deprivation 2000 or on at least one of the four measures of the old Index of Local Deprivation.
	Two of the pilots (East of EnglandGreat Yarmouth and Yorkshire and HumberNorth Kirklees) secured private sector partners. The private sector contributions in both cases were less than 50,000.
	The main focus of the LEAP is upon health objective. However, all of the successful pilots anticipate additional benefits that extend beyond health outcomes. Each pilot site has identified the respective national service framework and planning and priorities framework targets that it will address and the associated health benefits.

NHS Treatments

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed by the national health service in 2002.

Hazel Blears: Data for abortions performed in England and Wales in 2002 will not be available until the autumn.
	In 2001, out of the 176,364 abortions performed on residents of England and Wales, 76,166 were performed by the national health service. In addition, 58,445 abortions were performed by the independent sector under NHS contract.

Press Office

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed in his Department's press office; and how many were employed on 2 May 1997.

David Lammy: The Department employs 30 people in its Media centre. 23 of those employed are press officers, and seven are support staff.
	Detailed information on the number of press officers employed by the Department during the financial year 199798 was provided in Appendix II of the report The Government Information and Communications Service (HC 770) published by the Select Committee on Public Administration on 29 July 1998. Copies are available in the Library. However, no specific figures are kept for the number of support staff within the media centre.

SSRI Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the inquiry into SSRI drugs will recommence; and what measures will be taken to ensure the impartiality of the investigating committee.

Hazel Blears: The appropriate membership of the new Committee on the Safety of Medicines expert group on the safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) is currently being considered in light of the further work that is required, as well as further legal advice on interests in the particular circumstances of this class review. This review remains a high priority and will recommence as soon as the membership of this expert group has been finalised.
	Members of the Medicines Act advisory committees such as the CSM are required to follow a code of practice relating to declarations of interests in the pharmaceutical industry. The code provides for the cases in which interests must be declared and when members with certain interests may not take part in proceedings. The provisions of the code will be taken into account when the new CSM expert group is appointed and the members will be required to comply with the code.

SSRI Drugs

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the new Committee on Safety of Medicine inquiry into selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs takes into account the experience of patients.

Hazel Blears: The new Committee on Safety of Medicines expert group which is being appointed to further review of the safety of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) will consider the current available evidence relating to the safety of SSRIs, particularly in relation to suicidal behaviour and withdrawal reactions. The panel will be taking into account patients' views and experiences during this review.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what forecasts his Department made of the number of Criminal Records Bureau basic disclosures that would have been sought in the (a) first and (b) subsequent years of operation by members of the public.

Hilary Benn: In the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Corporate and Business Plan published in April 2001 the forecast was for 2.8 million Disclosures in 200203. In the Plan published in April 2002, the forecasts for basic disclosures were 2.8 million in 200203 and 3.5 million in 200304.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his statement of 27 February 2003, Official Report, columns 3236WS, on the Criminal Records Bureau, what estimate he has made of the number of basic disclosures that will not be issued following indefinite postponement of basic disclosures.

Hilary Benn: No estimate has been made.

Domestic Violence

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals to strengthen the law against domestic violence.

Hilary Benn: A consultation paper, setting out proposals to prevent domestic violence, provide increased support to victims and bring more perpetrators to justice, will be published this year. The paper will build on the initial consultation on domestic violence in the Justice for All White Paper published last year. It will aim to generate a response from the public, voluntary sector and others, to ensure the widest possible agreement on what needs to be done to prevent and tackle domestic violence.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants' files officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate were unable to locate in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the format requested. File tracking systems indicate that at present 0.3 per cent. of a total file holding of approximately four million is unaccounted for, either wholly or in part. A range of measures including additional training and targeted exercises to locate files and update records is being pursued to reduce this number.

Justice Gap Initiative

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the targets set for each part of the criminal justice system under the Narrowing the Justice Gap initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Public Service Agreement target to bring 1.2 million recorded offences to justice by 200506 applies to the criminal justice system in England and Wales as a whole. As a first step to delivering that target, each Local Criminal Justice Board has been set a 'Narrowing the Justice Gap' target for 200304 to increase the number of offences brought to justice in its area by five per cent. compared with the area's performance in 200102.

Metropolitan Police

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide additional funding for the Metropolitan Police in order to meet the exceptional requirements for security in the capital arising from the war in Iraq and associated terrorist threats.

David Blunkett: holding answer 31 March 2003
	Additional funding of 47 million will be made available to the Metropolitan Police in 200304 as part of their settlement to provide an enhanced counter-terrorism policing capability in the capital. This funding will allow the Metropolitan Police to continue to support the additional 689 officer posts and 112 supporting civilian posts which were funded in 200203. These officers will be deployed across a range of activities associated with security and counter-terrorism. A further 15 million is being allocated in 200304 to fund 500 Community Support Officers. The extra funding referred to is in addition to normal and pre-existing funding streams for security and counter-terrorism work. This is in addition to the increase of 5.2 per cent. in police grant for the Metropolitan Police for 200304.

National Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost will be to public funds in 200304 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department.

Hilary Benn: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in last year's Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. this year.

Prisons

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) unconvicted and (b) convicted unsentenced prisoners are held in prisons in England and Wales; and how many have been held for (i) more than three months and (ii) more than six months.

Hilary Benn: On 28 February 2003 there were 7,719 untried prisoners and 5,253 convicted unsentenced prisoners held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.
	On 30 June 2001 there were 6,800 untried prisoners; 1,200 had been received on remand more than three months up to and including six months previously; 650 had been received on remand more than six months previously.
	On 30 June 2001 there were 4,300 convicted unsentenced prisoners; 750 had been received on remand more than three months up to and including six months previously; 500 had been received on remand more than six months previously. The time spent on remand by convicted unsentenced prisoners includes any time spent on remand as an untried prisoner.

Prisons

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mothers in prisons in England and Wales have responsibility for babies (a) under nine months old and (b) under 18 months old and are not in mother and baby units; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Mothers in prison in England and Wales, with children under 18 months old who are not .accommodated on mother and baby units normally transfer their parental responsibility to a nominated member of the family or, where necessary, to an alternative carer or social services. Information is not available on the number of mothers in prison in this position.

Probation Service

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) probation officers and (b) management staff work in probation services in Avon and Somerset.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Avon and Somerset
		
			 200102 Number of staff(5),(6) 
		
		
			 Probation officers 154.8 
			 Management staff(7) 40.9 
			 Other staff 261.3 
		
	
	(5) Numbers shown as whole time equivalents.
	(6) Information shown taken at 31 December 2001information for 200203 is currently being collected and is as yet unavailable.
	(7) Management staff include all staff at senior probation officer grade and above.
	Figures obtained from data collected for RDS Probation Statistics 2001.

Probation Service

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers there are in (a) Sedgemoor and (b) West Somerset; and how many hours per week they work in those two areas.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is as follows:
	
		(a) Avon and Somerset
		
			  (8),(9) Numbers of staff 
			  Probation Officers Probation Service Officers 
		
		
			 Sedgmoor 7.1 7.6 
			 West Somerset 1.0 0.0 
		
	
	(8) Numbers shown as whole time equivalents
	(9) Information collected as at 3 April 2003
	
		(b) The hours worked by probation staff in these areas are as follows:
		
			  Hours per week 
		
		
			 Probation Officers (10)37.5 
			 Probation Service Officers 37.0 
		
	
	(10) Probation Officers generally work 150 hours over a 4 week period and therefore, 37.5 hours per week is given as an average.

Probation Service

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training for probation officers is carried out in Somerset.

Hilary Benn: Trainee probation officers are required to undertake the Diploma in Probation Studies which has been developed and is delivered through consortia of probation areas working with higher education institutions and NVQ assessment centres since 1998. The Diploma is a professional qualification, which confers probation officer status on successful trainees, subject to employment by a local probation board. It is an integrated programme of education and training that combines work and university based learning through a Community Justice NVQ level 4 award and an undergraduate degree. Trainee probation officers are appointed to probation areas following a rigorous recruitment and selection process and are paid a trainee salary. Programmes leading to the Diploma in Probation Studies are normally completed within 24 months.
	Main grade probation officers in Avon and Somerset Probation Area are specifically trained for their specific functions. Training is not generic, but practitioner based. Therefore probation officers are trained in group working programmes, report writing and case management. Officers are also placed to work in prisons and hostels.
	Avon and Somerset develop their officers in all areas of public protection, including diversity training, race equality issues, risk assessment, working with sex offenders and child protection issues.

Probation Service

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total number was of staff management of the probation service in Somerset in (a) 200001, (b) 200102 and (c) 200203.

Hilary Benn: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Avon and Somerset
		
			  (11),(12) Numbers of staff management 
			  (a) Avon 200201 (b) Somerset 200201 (13)(c) Avon  Somerset 200102 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officers 10.0 7.9 33.8 
			 Area Manager 0.0 0.0 0.1 
			 Assistant Chief Officer 4.0 0.8 6.0 
			 Deputy Chief Officer 0.0 2.0 0.0 
			 Chief Officer 1.0 1.0 1.0 
			 Total 15.0 11.7 40.9 
		
	
	Note:Figures obtained from data collected for RDS Probation Statistics 2001.
	(11) Numbers shown as whole time equivalents
	(12) Information shown taken at 31 December
	(13) Information for 2002/03 is currently not available

Probation Service

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total budget is for the probation service in Somerset.

Hilary Benn: Somerset does not have its own separate probation service. It is part of the Avon and Somerset Probation Area and has been allocated a budget of 15,975,000 by the Home Office for the financial year 200304.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further funds have been allocated since 30 November 2002 to probation areas in England and Wales for financial year 200304.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 8 April 2003
	Since 30 November 2002, a further 5.67 million has been provisionally allocated to probation areas in England and Wales for the financial year 200304. This is made up as follows:
	3.81 millionApproved Carry Forwards from 200203.
	1.0 millionFunding of additional property and pension costs.
	0.43 millionFunding to commission drugs treatment.
	0.42 millionRetained Probation Accommodation Grants.

Probation Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether funds for the financial year 200304 have been re-distributed from the National Probation Directorate budget to probation areas since the announcement of additional funds in November 2002.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 8 April 2003
	Since 30 November 2002, a further 5.67 million has been provisionally allocated to probation areas in England and Wales for the financial year 200304 from the National Probation Directorate Budget. This is made up as follows:
	3.81 millionApproved Carry Forwards from 200203.
	1.0 millionFunding of additional property and pension costs.
	0.43 millionFunding to commission drugs treatment.
	0.42 millionRetained Probation Accommodation Grants.

Secure Training Centres

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what financial penalties have been imposed on the contractors for (a) Hassockfield and (b) Medway Secure Training Centres in each financial year that the centres have been operating; and what the reason for each penalty was;
	(2)  what financial penalties have been imposed on the contractor for (a) Rainsbrook and (b) Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in each financial year that each centre has been operating; and what the reason was for each penalty in each case.

Hilary Benn: Up to and including 31 March 2003, financial penalties reflecting contract failures by the Operating Contractor at each Secure Training Centre (STC) total 155,152 (Rainsbrook); 910,874 (Medway); and 74,572.08 (Hassockfield).
	These cover failure to meet the scheduled opening date of the STC, non-availability of trainee places and failure to deliver specified services.

Security Service

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress the Security Service has made in releasing its archives into the public domain since 1 May 1997; and how many files from its archives have been transferred to the Public Records Office since 1 May 1997.

David Blunkett: The Security Service systematically reviews and, if appropriate, releases records in accordance with the criteria agreed with the Public Records Office and endorsed by the Advisory Council on Public Records. Since 1997, a total of 690 files, comprising 1,387 pieces (volumes) have been transferred to the Public Records Office. A further tranche of files are due for release at the end of May 2003.

Violence against Women

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was given to the Rape Crisis Federation in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Hilary Benn: The Home Office began providing core funding to the Rape Crisis Federation (RCF) in April 2001. In 200102 the Department paid a grant of 406,000 to RCF. In 200203 the Home Office offered 432,000, although in the event RCF only drew down 302,000 of this. The Department plans to offer a similar level of funding to the RCF during 200304, subject to need.
	In addition to this core grant, the Home Office has also been supporting RCF's development of a statistical database on rape and sexual assault. Funding for this project amounted to 21,477 in 200001; 60,306 in 200102; and 52,432 in 200203.

Working Hours

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

David Blunkett: Hours for Home Office staff with full-time attendance are 41 hours for staff in the London pay area and 42 hours elsewhere, including meal breaks. Within the Prison Service, prison officer and related grades work 39 hours per week, exclusive of meal breaks, which are unpaid. Many staff who work full-time or part-time are able to work flexible hours. For a 'traditional' full-time worker, core hours are 10:00 until 11:30 and 15:00 to 15:45. In some Home Office agencies and non-departmental public bodies these hours may vary by 30-minutes/one hour, but in general are within the times stated.
	There are also a variety of flexible and 'non-traditional' working patterns available to Home Office staff. For example: part-time working, job sharing, home working and term-time working. An individual's working pattern is decided in conjunction with their local management to suit both the individual's preferences and the requirements of the office. Staff also now have the statutory right to request to work flexibly and there is a duty for managers to consider such requests seriously.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Health Checks

Austin Mitchell: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will restore regular medical checks on the health of hon. Members by the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service.

Archy Kirkwood: The Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service (OHSWS) is an advisory service provided by both Houses of Parliament. The OHSWS assesses the effects work has on health and offers specialist advice on all aspects of health and safety in the workplace.
	A medical screening service is offered to hon. Members and Peers on a three yearly rolling programme and an earlier appointment can be requested if required. This service has been provided without interruption for more than 10 years. Between June 2002 and March 2003 79 hon. Members have been through the screening process.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HIV/AIDS

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support she is giving to international efforts to tackle the spread of HIV and AIDS through (a) financial support and (b) the availability of medical treatments.

Clare Short: My Department continues to give support to international efforts to tackle the spread of HIV and AIDS. In our bilateral programmes alone, expenditure on HIV/AIDS related work has increased from 38 million in 199798 to over 200 million in 200102. Major new investments include support for programmes in Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Russia, Ghana, China and India totalling over 350 million. We have pledged US$200 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and 30 million to the international AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the Medical Research Council's Microbicide Development Programme. Considerable additional resources have also been committed to United Nations agencies and civil society organisations to help combat HIV/AIDS and to help people living with the disease across the developing world. We will continue to support health system strengthening and comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, control and impact mitigation programmes.
	We are currently working intensively to improve access to affordable, new and existing medicines, including for HIV/AIDS, for poor people in developing countries. In November 2002, the Prime Minister launched the Report of the High Level Working Group on Access to Medicines. The Group brought together UK Government, and involved partners to facilitate widespread voluntary differential pricing of essential medicines for the poorer developing countries as the operational norm. The report proposes that pharmaceutical companies provide drugs for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria at near to cost of manufacture to the poorest countries, and my Department is working hard to achieve these ambitions. We also support the Global Fund whose primary role is to provide drugs and commodities for the prevention and treatment of AIDS, TB and Malaria and some associated health system strengthening.

Iraq

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Nasiriyah; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The International Committee of the Red Cross is extremely concerned about the situation of the civilian population in towns to the south of Baghdad including Nasiriyah, which have been the scene of heavy fighting. The ICRC no longer has access to Nasiriyah, following the destruction of a major highway bridge linking the capital to the south on 3 April. UNICEF report that a first convoy of water tankers is heading to Nasiriyah.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the total bill for post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

Clare Short: No informed assessment has yet been made.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who will be in control of deciding what money is spent on the post-war reconstruction of Iraq; and what the Government's priorities are for the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

Clare Short: DFID assistance on post-war reconstruction will support the international effort co-ordinated by the UN and the International Financial Institutions. Iraq's reconstruction needs will be substantial. It is too soon to determine specific allocations or areas of UK focus.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's position is on transparency over oil revenues in a post-war Iraq.

Clare Short: UN oversight of Iraq's oil revenues will continue until the current sanctions regime is lifted. Beyond that, we will work for oil revenues to be reflected transparently in Iraq's public finances.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether Oil for Food funds (a) can and (b) will be used to refund Iraqi debt.

Clare Short: UN resolutions currently prevent Oil for Food Programme funds being used to repay Iraqi debt, but 25 per cent. of revenues will go to the UN Compensation Commission which pays reparations claims for the 199091 Gulf War.
	Future Iraqi debt and reparations payments will need to be addressed in due course by the future Government of Iraq and the International Financial Institutions if Iraqi reconstruction is to be sustainable.

Iraq

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whose control the Oil-for-Food Programme is under in (a) Central and Southern Iraq and (b) Northern Iraq; and what recent assessment she has made of food distribution to the people of Iraq through the Oil for Food Programme.

Clare Short: The UN has an administrative and oversight role over the Oil for Food Programme (OFF) in central, southern and northern Iraq. The UN bodies responsible for OFF are the Office of the Iraq Programme OIP (administration), the Office of the Humanitarian Co-ordinator UNOHCI (field co-ordination), and nine implementation agencies (FAO, UNESCO, WHO, ITU, UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, UNOPS, UN-Habitat).
	The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the current food supply, distributed through the public distribution system under the Oil for Food Programme, will last through April. It has pre-positioned sufficient supplies to feed two million people for one month, which is intended to cover the initial phase of the conflict, and to support refugees and the malnourished and vulnerable inside Iraq. WFP concluded contracts last week to buy a further 400,000 metric tons of food aid for Iraq, which they intend to use to replenish the OFF distribution systems. These supplies should start reaching the region by late April. But they will only reach people if the distribution system can be kept in place. This means helping Iraqis keep 55,000 separate outlets across the country operating, 45,000 of which are in the centre and south of Iraq. In some parts of the country, they are still doing so; in others it will be a greater challenge. We are continuing to liaise closely with relevant UN agencies on these issues.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Child Contact Orders

Andrew Turner: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are being taken by the judiciary to promote a culture of continuity in child contact cases.

Rosie Winterton: A new protocol on case management in public law cases is being developed which will mean a single judge will take overall responsibility for the management of each case. We will announce plans for its introduction in due course. Once introduced, and tested, it may be possible to extend it to other children cases.

Court Closures (Kingston)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department pursuant to her oral answer of 8 April 2003, Official Report, column 121, on the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority consultation on court closures, if she will set out (a) the grounds for appeal submitted to her by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and (b) the reasons she upheld the appeal.

Yvette Cooper: Each appeal is decided upon its own merits, based upon evidence received from all parties to the case. In this case, the Paying Authority argued, in summary, that the court was adequate for the purpose, was conveniently located and served a town with a large population, which attracted substantial numbers of people from outside the area. The court had a high workload, which could not be accommodated at Wimbledon, and the journey to Wimbledon would inconvenience court users.
	The appeal was upheld because the shortcomings at Kingston, as determined by the Greater London Magistrates' Courts Authority, were not so great as to be an overriding factor leading to closure when compared with those argued by the Paying Authority.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Assisted Suicide

David Drew: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases of person assisted suicide the Crown Prosecution Service has taken up over the last five years.

Harriet Harman: No central records are maintained of requests for advice or prosecutions for such offences. The relevant information could be only obtained at disproportionate cost.

Child Neglect

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  how many parents or carers of children killed or non-accidentally injured while in their care were prosecuted for neglect under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 for their role in the death or injury in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002;
	(2)  how many prosecutions were (a) not commenced and (b) discontinued pre-trial of parents or carers of children killed or non-accidentally injured while in their care, in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002 because it was not clear which of the parties was guilty of the assault or killing;
	(3)  in how many cases in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 in which one parent or carer was convicted of neglect for their role in the non-accidental injury or death of children in their care, the other parent was convicted of murder, manslaughter or an assault offence;
	(4)  how many parents or carers were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in connection with the (i) killing and (ii) non-accidental injury of children in their care in (A) 2001 and (B) 2002.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Child Neglect

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what advice the CPS gives to police about charging parents or carers in whose care children have been killed or non-accidentally injured if it is unclear which of them was responsible for the injury or death.

Harriet Harman: Cases involving death or serious injury to young children, where it is not possible to say which of two parents or carers was responsible for the injury, present particular difficulties for the prosecution. In these cases the Crown Prosecution Service recognises the importance of early involvement with the police and in most cases would seek to advise the police pre-charge.
	In advising the police, the Crown Prosecution Service will apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Before advice is given to proceed with a particular charge, the prosecutor must be satisfied that the evidence provides a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to proceed.
	Where two carers have been suspects the available evidence often does not go far enough to establish that they acted in concert, 'joint enterprise' or that one rather than the other inflicted the injury. If this cannot be established and there is nothing further to show that a parent foresaw a risk of injury to the child that might result in death and failed to take steps to protect the child, then neither parent or carer can be convicted of murder or manslaughter, although in some circumstances a conviction for cruelty or neglect to a child (section 1 of the Children's and Young Persons Act
	1933) might follow.

Child Neglect

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor General how many convicted parents or carers of children killed or non-accidentally injured while in their care were the subject of unduly lenient sentence appeals in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002.

Harriet Harman: No convicted parents or carers of children killed while in their care were the subject of unduly lenient sentence applications in 2001 or 2002.
	In 2001 no cases involving assaults by parents or carers of children in their care were the subject of unduly lenient sentence applications.
	In 2002 the Court of Appeal considered the sentence imposed in one case where the offender, who was the victims' father, faced offences including cruelty to his two children. The Court of Appeal decided to make the sentences imposed in respect of the cruelty offences, run consecutive to the sentences he faced for other offences and increased the total sentence from eight years to 13 years.

Child Neglect

Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what the CPS policy is on prosecuting a carer or parent where a child is killed or non-accidentally injured while in the care of a small group of carers of parents.

Harriet Harman: In addition to the Code for Crown Prosecutors, crown prosecutors have national policy guidance for the prosecution of cases involving allegations of child abuse. This policy guidance covers cases involving the death of a child and requires such cases to be treated as a priority, with expedition and with sensitivity. Crown prosecutors with specialist training will generally be responsible for these cases.
	The results of a consultation exercise with all Chief Crown Prosecutors, to identify good practice in the prosecution of serious child abuse cases, has stressed the importance of:
	early involvement with the police pre-charge;
	the use of suitably qualified forensic experts;
	the early involvement of prosecuting counsel; and
	the benefits of inter-agency protocols for the investigation of these cases.
	These findings will be passed back to prosecutors nationwide.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Community Interest Companies

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she plans to introduce legislation to bring into effect Community Interest Companies as proposed in the Cabinet Office's strategy unit review.

Melanie Johnson: A joint DTI/HM Treasury/Home Office consultation document on proposals for a Community Interest Company (CIC) was published on 26 March. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the Houses and on the DTI website. We welcome views on all aspects of the proposals outlined in the paper by Wednesday 18 June. Following the end of the consultation, there will be legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

'Dad' Magazine

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the total cost to her Department of the magazine, 'Dad'.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 April 2003
	The Department provided 50,000 to the charity Fathers Direct to develop a business plan for 'Dad' and the pilot magazine. The support included the distribution of a copy of the magazine to each maternity unit in Great Britain and 1,000 copies each to five maternity units to be made freely available to prospective and new fathers.

Advertising Budget

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department of the advertisements in newspapers on 7 April on flexible ways of working.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 April 2003
	The advertisements on 7 April were part of the awareness raising activity accompanying the new laws for working parents. Their total media and production costs were 300,000.

Advertising Budget

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the budget is for advertising (a) on the internet, (b) in broadcast media and (c) in newspapers for 200304.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 April 2003
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Animal Welfare

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the animal welfare implications of the trade in products containing dog and cat fur.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 7 April 2003
	The Government are aware both of reports in the media (including on the internet) and reports by various animal welfare groups about the mistreatment of domestic cats and dogs in parts of Asia and the reported use of their fur. So far, we have not seen reliable evidence that these practices take place on a significant, organised scale, nor have we been able to ascertain whether domestic cat and dog fur produced in this way is indeed entering the UK. We would therefore be interested to hear from anyone who has hard evidence about the practices relating to this alleged trade, and more particularly, any evidence of proven domestic dog and cat fur goods produced by this trade that may be entering the UK.
	The Government are committed to reporting back to Parliament on this issue in the summer.

Arms Exports

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will provide extra territorial controls on small arms in the draft secondary legislation to the Arms Export Control Bill with reference to the Scott Report and Government statements in 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 9 April 2003
	Full consideration to all representations received in response to the present consultation on the draft legislation will be considered.

Arms Exports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the cost of establishing a register of arms dealers and brokers.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government propose to register information on all those applying for licences, both for exports and for arms trafficking and brokering activities. This database will be used for licensing and enforcement purposes on an international basis.
	Any significant costs associated with the introduction of new controls to be made under the Export Control Act will be published in the final Regulatory Impact Assessment; a copy of which will be place in the Libraries of the House.

Arms Exports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will include in the draft Orders under the Export Control Act 2002 minimum enforceable standards of electronic security and encryption to be used for those companies and individuals sharing information on military technology or software with recipients both in and outside the UK.

Nigel Griffiths: An exporter may not share information on controlled technology without an export licence. Exporters must comply with all the terms of the licence which will specify the permitted destinations and technology.

Arms Exports

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will establish, in relation to the use of intranets in the draft orders for the Export Control Act 2002, regulation of the electronic security protocols used by companies granted open individual export licences in instances (a) where companies have global computer networks which extend to countries for which licences would not be granted and (b) where companies do not have such networks.

Nigel Griffiths: An exporter may only export controlled technology to the destinations specified in the export licence, where one is granted. Exporters must comply with all terms of the licence.

Employment Relations Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff in her Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.

Patricia Hewitt: Staff in my Department have the right to take up to five days paid leave to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. Time off for this purpose is not recorded centrally.

Exhibitions

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list events at which her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible have exhibited in each of the last three years, stating for each (a) the purpose of exhibiting, (b) the cost of exhibiting and (c) the number of staff attending for the exhibition.

Patricia Hewitt: Information on exhibitions funded from centrally-held budgets has been as follows:
	
		
			  Information 
		
		
			 200001  
			 TUC exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's main Employment Relations messages(b) 30,000 
			   
			 CBI exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's key messages to business(b) 33,000 
			   
			 200102  
			 TUC exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's main Employment Relations messages(b) 32,000 
			   
			 CBI exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's key messages to business(b) 26,000 
			   
			 200203  
			 TUC exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's main Employment Relations messages, and other key DTI priority areas(b) 29,000 
			   
			 CBI exhibition (a) Promote awareness of DTI's key messages to business(b) 34,000 
		
	
	Information on other locally-funded exhibitions is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	I have asked the chief executive of each departmental agency to write to the hon. Member.
	As regards NDPBs, this information is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
	Copies of the agency letters have been placed in the Library.

General Agreement on Trade in Services

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many responses to the DTI public consultation on GATS were received; how many of these responses expressed concern about the (a) transparency and (b) democracy of the GATS process; how many of these responses expressed other concerns about the GATS process; and how many of the responses received called for a halt to the GATS process.

Patricia Hewitt: We received 792 responses to our consultation on the GATS negotiations. Over 600 were individual replies from members of the public mainly in the form of standard letters organised by certain non-governmental organisations, as well as another 34 from NGOs themselves and one from two Members of the European Parliament, raising concerns such as those referred to by the hon. Member. The remainder were from business organisations, local authorities, health and education organisations, student associations and one from an hon. Member, raising points on specific issues or sectors.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Patent Office's policy is on granting patents for human embryonic stem cells.

Melanie Johnson: The Comptroller-General of the Patent Office is publishing on the Patent Office website a Practice Notice dealing with inventions related to human embryonic stem cells. I will place a copy in the Libraries of the House.
	Practice Notices are published by the Patent Office from time to time to inform its users of its approach to different aspects of its work. Among other things, they may relate to the grant of patents in certain areas of technology or categories of invention. The approach outlined in Practice Notices is subject to modification in the light of judgments from the courts.

Insolvency Service

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many disqualified directors have been prosecuted following cases being lodged with the Insolvency Service disqualified directors hotline in each year since 1998; and how many of these prosecutions proved successful.

Melanie Johnson: Figures are not available showing how many disqualified directors have been prosecuted following complaints to the disqualified directors hotline but the number of disqualified directors who have been convicted following such complaints in each year since 1998 is:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2 January 1998 to 31 March 1998 0 
			 Year ended 31 March  
			 1999 2 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 11 
			 2003 11 
			 Total 29

Insolvency Service

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many calls have been made to the Insolvency Service Directors hotline in each year since its inception.

Melanie Johnson: The following number of calls have been received on the Hotline since its inception in January 1998:
	
		
			  Number of calls 
		
		
			 2 January to 31 March 1998 461 
			 Year ended 31 March 1999 921 
			 Year ended 31 March 2000 603 
			 Year ended 31 March 2001 449 
			 Year ended 31 March 2002 600 
			 Year ended 31 March 2003 567 
			 Total 3,601

Insolvency Service

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost of running the Insolvency Service's disqualified directors hotline has been in each year from 1998.

Melanie Johnson: The costs of running the hotline in each year from 1998 have been calculated as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 199899 30,707 
			 19992000 31,986 
			 200001 33,774 
			 200102 35,139 
			 200203 38,061

Insolvency Service

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions directors of insolvent companies have been disqualified under section 6 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 in each year since 1986.

Melanie Johnson: The number of directors of insolvent companies who have been disqualified under section 6 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, from 1986 to date, are as listed as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Total section 6 orders 
		
		
			 198687 69 
			 198788 286 
			 198889 159 
			 198990 270 
			 199091 251 
			 199192 326 
			 199293 446 
			 199394 399 
			 199495 392 
			 199596 727 
			 199697 1,040 
			 199798 1,267 
			 199899 1,284 
			 19992000 1,540 
			 200001 1,548 
			 200102 1,761

Leafleting

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take powers to allow her Department to regulate the number of hand-delivered leaflets to houses that have requested no further leafleting.

Melanie Johnson: There are no plans to do so.

National Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost will be to public funds in 200304 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

TRANSPORT

Dartford River Crossing

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projects to be funded in whole or in part by income from the Dartford River Crossing are (a) in construction and (b) in planning.

John Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 7 April 2003, Official Report, column 60W.

TREASURY

Cancer

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the five year survival rates for (a) breast, (b) lung, (c) cervical, (d) colon, (e) stomach, (f) prostate and (g) bladder cancer are in (i) England, (ii) the Buckinghamshire Health Authority Area and (iii) the South East Regional Office area.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Bercow, dated 10 April 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the five year survival rates for (a) breast, (b) lung, (c) cervical, (d) colon, (e) stomach, (f) prostate and (g) bladder cancer are in (i) England, (ii) the Buckinghamshire Health Authority area and (iii) the South East Regional Office area. (108489)
	At the national level, figures are routinely presented for men and women separately, while those at regional and local levels are given for persons only. The latest available information is given in this format in the table below.
	
		Five-year relative survival (%), persons diagnosed in 199395 and followed up to 31 December 2000: selected cancers, England, South East Regional Office area and Buckinghamshire Health Authority area -- Percentage
		
			  England South East Buckinghamshire HA 
			 Cancer Site Men Women Persons(14) Persons(14) 
		
		
			 Breast  75.9 76.9 79 
			 Lung 5.5 5.5 5.5 7.1 
			 Cervix  66.0 68.0 62 
			 Colon 43.5 43.3 46.2 47 
			 Stomach 11.1 11.8 12.0 10.9 
			 Prostate 59.8  63.0 63 
			 Bladder 67.1 57.6 69.0 76 
		
	
	(14) Figures for breast cancer exclude the very small numbers of cases in men.
	Source:
	Report: Cancer survival in the health authorities of England, 19932000. Health Statistics Quarterly 13 (2002), 95103. This is available on our website at: http://www. statistics. gov.uk/downloads/theme health/HSQl3 v4.pdf
	'Cancer survival: five year relative survival rates in England by Health Authority up to 2000' at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D5389.xls for breast (female), lung, colon and prostate cancer.
	Survival rates for cervical, stomach, bladder and oesophageal cancer are on the website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D5392.xls

Enterprise Areas

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new businesses have (a) sought and (b) secured exemption from stamp duty in enterprise areas.

John Healey: Stamp duty is charged according to the type of property, rather than the type of buyer so the Inland Revenue does not keep a record of the numbers of businesses or individuals who claim the relief. However, the exemption has been claimed on over 700 commercial property transactions and around 72,000 residential property transactions to date, benefiting buyers of all those properties with an exemption from stamp duty worth up to 1,500 per transaction. The number of claims in relation to commercial property is likely to increase now that the Chancellor has announced the abolition of the existing 150,000 cap for non-residential property from 10 April which will offer unlimited stamp duty relief on non-residential property to businesses investing in the 2000 enterprise areas.

Hospital-acquired Infection

Liam Fox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of deaths were officially recorded as being a result of a hospital acquired or secondary infection in each year since 199798; and how many people were recorded as having died from such causes in each of those years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Fox, dated 10 April 2003
	As National Statistician, 1 have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what percentage of deaths were officially recorded as being a result of a hospital acquired or secondary infection in each year since 199798; and how many people were recorded as having died from such causes in each of those years. (108642)
	As indicated in the answer to your previous question number 107729, Official Report 80, Column 145, it is not possible to give reliable figures on the number of deaths involving hospital-acquired infections from routinely collected mortality data, as information on where the infection was acquired may not be available to the doctor certifying the death.

National Insurance

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what safeguards are in place to ensure that people with gaps in their national insurance records have the opportunity to make voluntary contributions before the deadline.

Mike Wood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what system is in place to inform those making national insurance contributions when they have failed to secure the required number of stamps in any given year.

Dawn Primarolo: There is normally a six year limit for a contributor to pay Class 3 voluntary contributions to make up gaps in contributions in a past year. The Inland Revenue have announced an extension of the limit in respect of the years 199697 to 200102 to 5 April 2008. Starting later this year the Inland Revenue will contact people who could have gaps in their records for the years from 199697 to 200102, to allow them to check their positions and make voluntary contributions if they wish to do so.

Parliamentary Questions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question is.

Ruth Kelly: As at April 2002, the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question is 135.

Parliamentary Questions

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer above what threshold the cost of answering a written parliamentary question is deemed to be disproportionate.

Ruth Kelly: The advisory cost limit was last increased to 600 from April 200211 April 2002, Official Report, column 579W. The latest annual costing exercise has confirmed that this figure remains appropriate.

Special Purpose Vehicles

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2003, Official Report, column 302W, on the private finance initiative, what assessment he has made of the debt held by PFI stakeholders in special purpose vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: Banks and other financial institutions generally lend money to PFI special purpose companies in the form of limited-recourse debt, financed by project cash-flows. This money is at risk if the agreed PFI service is not provided.
	Investors who hold equity stakes in Special Purpose Vehicles typically do not have an obligation to repay debt. Their equity in PFI companies is, however, at risk if the agreed PFI service is not provided.
	PFI builders and facilities managers working under contract with PFI special purpose companies will also not generally be responsible for repaying the debt issued by PFI special purpose companies. However, the terms of their contracts will often put their payments at risk if their works are not delivered satisfactorily, to time, and to budget.

VAT (Blood Products)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 7 April 2003, Official Report, column 26W, on blood products, what representations the UK Government has made to the European Commission about extending the VAT exemption; and whether it is the policy of the Government to support change.

John Healey: The UK has made representations at official level for change in the scope of the VAT exemption for blood products. However, as my answer of 7 April 2003, Official Report, column 26W, made clear, the European Commission has not yet brought forward proposals for change in this area.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Ageism

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to improve the information that is publicly available on progress towards implementing the recommendations in the Winning the Generation Game report.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer given by my right hon. Friend the former Minister for Pensions, Ian McCartney, on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 201W. Information on progress on the Winning the Generation Game report's recommendations is in the Library and is publicly available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/about/impacts.shtm_WINNING
	The recommendations relating to extending working life in Winning the Generation Game (numbers 31 and 32) have been incorporated as proposals in the Green Paper Simplicity, Security and Choice, Cm 5677. The Government have received a large number of responses to this consultation and is currently analysing them.

Benefit Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which non-governmental bodies are being consulted about the details of the exceptions service for people who are unable or unwilling to have their benefits paid direct into a bank account.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department regularly consults with a range of non-governmental bodies, representing the interests of some of our most vulnerable customers. These discussions will help inform the development of a method of payment for those customers whose benefits cannot be paid directly into an account.

Benefit Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are in place to ensure that benefit payments are paid without interruption to people who change bank accounts.

Malcolm Wicks: If a customer wishes to change bank accounts for receipt of benefit, they need to notify the Department in writing. Staff are instructed to take immediate action on receipt of the customer's new account details to ensure there is no interruption to benefit. If the customer needs time to change account details, payment by an alternative method can be arranged to ensure continuity of benefit.

Benefit Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2003 to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb), Official Report, column 917W, on benefit recipients, how many of the people contacted in the follow-up calls to those who had not responded to the letter about direct payment of benefits have since indicated an intention to move away from paper-based payment methods; and how many of them have opted for a Post Office card account.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 27 March 2003, approximately 150,000 customers have been contacted as part of the follow-up procedures for those customers who have not responded to the initial Direct Payment mailing. So far around 52,000 positive contacts have been made, and of this number, around 6,000 customers have requested a Post Office card account.

Benefit Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2003 to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn), Official Report, column 911W, on benefits payments, how many benefit recipients there are in each constituency in Great Britain; and how many of them collect their benefits from post offices, excluding those who use network banking arrangements.

Malcolm Wicks: The information has been placed in the Library. The information is from figures based on information available at 22 February 2003.
	Information is held on the method of payment on individual benefit records. Some benefits are payable directly into bank or building society accounts and some are only able to be cashed at a post office. Giro cheques. however, may either be cashed at a post office, or paid into a bank or building society. For the purposes of this question, Giro cheques have been included as payments collected from post offices.

Benefit Payments

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the potential effects on post offices of direct bank payment of benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has made no such assessment.

Benefit Payments

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has taken to promote post offices as a continuing option for receiving benefits payments.

Malcolm Wicks: We will write to customers when it is their turn to change their method of payment. Customers will be supplied directly with information which clearly sets out their account options and enables them to decide which account is right for them. All our material mentions Post Office access.

Benefit Payments

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written answer of 31 March 2003, Official Report, column 607W, whether he plans to offer weekly benefit payments by direct payment to new recipients of retirement pension and child benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: From this year, customers will be able to receive payments by Direct Payment on a weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly, 13-weekly or yearly basis. The precise frequency will depend on the payment rules which apply to the particular benefit they are receiving. New recipients of Retirement Pension will be able to receive their pension weekly by Direct Payment should they choose. New Child Benefit customers will need to meet the criteria that currently exists to qualify for weekly payments.

Benefits

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason the Child Benefit Agency in its letter to beneficiaries about the ending of Post Office payment by benefit book (a) urges recipients to open bank or post office accounts and (b) makes no reference to the Post Office card.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department is running a national and comprehensive information campaign to give customers the facts they need to choose the account option which best meets their needs and circumstances. This started with mailings to customers from October last year and we expanded the campaign from early this year to include the media and press.
	People are provided with the information they need on all of their banking options, including which accounts can be used at Post Office branches. All customer information mentions the Post Office card account and sets out clearly what they need to do to open one. It will be up to the customers themselves to decide which type of account they wish to have their money paid into, and those people who want to open a Post Officecard account will be able to do so.

Benefits (Internet)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to publicise the take-up of means-tested benefits on the internet; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Information is provided on all benefits on the Department's internet site. The information explains people's rights and reponsibilities.

British Sign Language

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written statement of 1 March 2003, Official Report, column 41WS, on British Sign Language, what decisions have been reached regarding the allocation of funding for initiatives to raise awareness of British Sign Language; and how organisations may apply for funding.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 7 April 2003, Official Report, columns 845W.

Commercial Confidentiality

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department issues to civil servants on how to deal with claims from organisations that the information they provide to the Department is commercially confidential.

Maria Eagle: Staff are advised that any information, not already in the public domain, provided by organisations engaged in tendering for departmental contracts, is commercially confidential and restricted to those involved in the contracting process.
	Outside the confines of the tendering process, there is a presumption in favour of openness. The onus is on the organisations to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that publication and dissemination of the information would cause them commercial harm. Where appropriate, staff are advised to seek guidance from departmental procurement officers in specific cases.

Departmental Staffing

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in his Department were employed to calculate entitlement to the minimum income guarantee, prior to the creation of the Pensions Service;
	(2)  how many people in his Department were employed to calculate entitlement to contributory retirement pensions, including state earnings-related pensions, prior to the creation of the Pensions Service; and of these, how many were based in (a) Newcastle, (b) local offices and (c) at other sites.

Maria Eagle: Prior to the establishment of The Pension Service, the Department did not routinely capture information relating to staff numbers by benefit category.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much additional money poorer pensioners are gaining through the minimum income guarantee above what they would have gained if the income support rates of 1997 had been increased only in line with earnings.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the following table.
	
		Table 1: MIG rates payable from April 2003 compared to the rates that would have been payable if the income support rates had been increased only in line with earnings --  per week
		
			 Age and FamilyStatus Actual rates payable from April 2003 April 2003 rates if increased by earnings since 1997 Difference 
		
		
			 Single
			 6074 102.10 88.55 13.55 
			 7579 102.10 91.35 10.75 
			 80+ 102.10 97.45 4.65 
			 
			 Couple
			 6074 155.80 137.45 18.35 
			 7579 155.80 141.50 14.30 
			 80+ 155.80 148.20 7.60 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Earnings increases based on GB Average Earnings Index, whole economy, 3 month seasonally adjusted average for May to July.
	2. Income Support was replaced by the Minimum Income Guarantee in April 1999
	Source:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

Minimum Income Guarantee

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Leeds West are in receipt of the minimum income guarantee.

Maria Eagle: As at November 2002 there were 3,700 people receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee in the Leeds West constituency.
	*Source:
	Income Support quarterly statistical enquiry. November 02.

National Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost will be to public funds in 200304 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department.

Maria Eagle: It is estimated that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the April 2002 Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. this year.

Pensioner Households

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 25 March, Official Report, column 167W, on pension supplement, what plans he has to consolidate the 25p per week pension supplement for those aged 80 or over with another benefit targeted at that group.

Maria Eagle: The 25 pence age addition for pensioners aged 80 and over is paid with the State Pension. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 9 April that we will be paying a 100 annual lump sum payment to every household where a pensioner reaches the age of 80 (or is over the age of 80) in addition to the 25p, payable as at present.

Pensioner Households

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the 25p per week pension supplement for those aged 80 or over would be worth on 1 April 2003 had its value kept pace with inflation since it was introduced in 1971.

Maria Eagle: Information based on indexing the age addition to the Retail Prices Index is shown in the table:
	
		 per week
		
			  Rate of age addition in 1971 Actual amount of age addition in April 2003 Amount of age addition in April 2003 if indexed to Retail Prices Index 
		
		
			 Rates 0.25 0.25 1.95 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Retail Prices Index as published by the Office of National Statistics.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.
	Source:
	Information Centre, Information and Analysis Directorate

Pensioners (Buckingham)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to visit the Buckingham constituency to meet pensioners.

Maria Eagle: My right hon. Friend has no current plans to visit the hon. Member's constituency.

Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on recent progress in developing asylums to assist people who are unable or unwilling to use PIN pads but who wish to collect their pensions in person at the post office.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department is running a national and comprehensive information campaign to give customers the facts they need to make an informed choice about which account option is most appropriate for them. People will be provided with all the information they need on all of their banking options, including which accounts can be used at post office branches. It will be up to the customers themselves to decide which type of account they wish to have their money paid into.
	Those using a bank or building society account who cannot cope with PIN numbers, can use other methods to access their cashe.g. Cheque book, building society pass book etc.or arrange for someone else to get their money for them.

Pensions/Benefit Payments

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list telephone services operated by his Department in order to provide advice and services relating to changes in the method of paying pensions and benefits; and if he will place in the Library copies of the scripts used by the people answering the telephones.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has a range of telephone services to support the move to Direct Payment as the normal method of paying benefits and pensions.
	A Direct Payment Information Line, for those customers who require further detail about the changes being introduced, is now in operation. The purpose of this telephone service is to give customers the opportunity to consider all of the options available to them and make the best choice for their circumstances.
	For each of the benefit and pension services, the Department has a dedicated telephone facility to capture customers' choices and record account details. There is a separate, yet similar service, for benefit and pension customers in Northern Ireland.
	This is supported by our normal business units, who can also provide information about the changes being made.
	An example of the script used when a customer requires more information about the choices available has been placed in the Library.

Post Office Card

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to promote the use of the Post Office card by beneficiaries.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's information campaign, to support the move to Direct Payment, provides customers with factual information on the banking options available to them, including information on the Post Office card account. The information is presented in a way that enables customers to decide which account option is best for their individual circumstances.

Post Office Card Account

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Disability Rights Commission and disability organisations about the compliance of the PIN pads for the Post Office card account with the provisions of the Disability Act 1995;
	(2)  whether guidance on pensions and benefits payments has been revised following experience with access to the PIN pads for Post Office card accounts by disabled people, with particular reference to those with sight problems;
	(3)  what requirements relating to access for blind, partially sighted and other disabled people are included in Post Office Limited's contract with the Government to provide the card account system;
	(4)  what plans his Department has to monitor the accessibility of the Post Office card account to disabled people as it is introduced.

Malcolm Wicks: Access to Post Office branches, the Post Office card account and PIN pads are the responsibility of Post Office Limited. We are aware that groups representing disabled and blind/partially sighted customers have raised concerns about the PIN pads that have been installed in Post Offices. The Post Office have acknowledged that they need to make the PIN pad more accessible and user friendly. They have invited the RNIB and other disability groups to work with them. All customers will be given information about all of the account options available and it will be for them to consider which account best meets their needs and circumstances. The Department meets regularly with external interest groups including RNIB, RNID and Disability Alliance to discuss all issues surrounding Direct Payment.
	All customers will be given information about all of the account options available and it will be for them to consider which account best meets their needs and circumstances. The Department meets regularly with external interest groups including RNIB, RNID and Disability Alliance to discuss all issues surrounding Direct Payment.

SERPS (Compensation Scheme)

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where people may obtain information about the compensation scheme for those who have been misinformed about the reduction to Inherited SERPS.

Maria Eagle: The revised rules on Inherited SERPS protected the position of all over State Pension age on 6 October 2002, and phased in the 1986 changes for those approaching State Pension age. People for whom, exceptionally, the new rules did not provide adequate redress, will find information about the general departmental compensation scheme in a number of places.
	The Department includes information on its internet website, as well as in a range of general leaflets that include details of the complaints process and make reference to the availability of compensation. The main source of information regarding compensation is the Department's guide, Financial Redress for Maladministration. This guide includes references to changes made to the legislation resulting from the Inherited SERPS problems and to the availability of compensation in such cases. The guide is publicly available from DWP offices as well as the Publications section of the Department's internet site.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed by his Department in (a) 200102 and (b) 200203.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 4 April 2003, Official Report, columns 89192W.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the statutory instruments issued by his Department in the last 12 months, indicating (a) the purpose of each and (b) the cost of each to (i) public funds, (ii) businesses and (iii) individuals.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions has issued 98 statutory instruments (Sis) between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003; a list of these has been placed in the Library. The list includes Sis on matters related to the Health and Safety Commission, which has been sponsored by the Department since 24 July 2002.
	The purpose of each of these instruments is set out in the corresponding Explanatory Note of each SI. Many of these instruments are of a routine nature, for example, updating benefit regulations.
	Information relating to costs associated with these instruments is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is completed for each regulatory proposal that has more than a negligible impact on business, charities, or the voluntary sector. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published twelve final RIAs in this period. These are available in the Library and on the DWP and HSE websites. The Sis in respect of which these RIAs are published are identified on the list placed in the library.

Telephone Helplines

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2003, Official Report, column 190W, on telephone helplines, how many calls were made to those helplines charged at national rate for each such number in the last year for which records are available; and what the average duration was of those calls.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the table.
	
		DWP helplines charging national rate
		
			 DWP Telephone CallCentres Number of calls receivedfrom March 2002 toFebruary 2003 Average duration of callsanswered from March2002 to February 2003 
		
		
			 Chief Executive Helpline JCP (15)1,443 Data unavailable 
			 Chief Executive Helpline IPS 1,697 Data unavailable 
			 Child Benefit Enquiry Line 6,350,858 4 minutes 18 seconds 
			 DWP Public Enquiry Office 296,152 1 minute 55 seconds 
			 International Tele Claims Service (International Pensions Centre) 14,381 2 minutes 22 seconds 
			 Telephone Liaison section (International Pension Centre) (16)Data unavailable  
			 Welfare Reform order line contracted via COI to EC Logistics 6,800 1 minute 16 seconds 
		
	
	(15) Data only available for period October 2002 to March 2003.
	(16) From March 2003 no longer a helpline

Winter Fuel Payments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people eligible for the 200203 winter fuel payment who needed to make a claim; and of that number, how many failed to do so before the March deadline.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the written answers given to him on 17 December 2002, Official Report, column 607W and 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 95W.
	Since then, further claim forms have been received. A total of more than 213,000 forms were returned before 31 March this year.

Working Hours

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what policy on (a) core hours and (b) flexible working hours is operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible.

Maria Eagle: Throughout the Department, including non-departmental public bodies, flexible working hours schemes are designed locally within a corporate framework. This is by consultation with managers, staff and the appropriate Trade Unions, to suit business and staff needs. Schemes are designed to take account of the need to maintain efficiency and service to the public and other customers.
	Flexible working hours schemes operate wherever practicable, and staff are not unnecessarily excluded from participating. The schemes cover all grades, including part-time staff, job share and part year appointments. Participation in a flexible working hours scheme is voluntary. Individuals who prefer not to participate in a scheme may work fixed hours. Individuals who abuse flexible working can be suspended from the scheme.
	Core-time is not mandatory, but where flexible working hours schemes include a core-time, the maximum number of core hours is six hours daily for full-time staff working standard work patterns. Part-time staff have a pro rata number of the full-time core hours. The full core-time includes time for a flexible lunch/meal break. Staff may vary the length and timing of their lunch/meal break within the parameters of the scheme.